New division and new name as architect firm expands

Box Group – A new multi disciplinary architecture practice based in Harrogate has been launched to target both commercial and residential architecture clients.

The new six-strong Group has been created by the merger of established commercial architects Work Architects (that will be renamed Box Architects from Monday May 16th) and the launch of a new residential practice – Box Haus.

Box Group managing director Graham Place (front) with his team (back left to right) Mark Grieve, Angela Newton, Anna Place, Oliver James and Maxine Cook

The firm will be headed by former Work Architects managing director Graham Place, a 20 year veteran of the industry.

Box Haus has been established to provide a contemporary architect design service for residential clients who are increasingly looking to improve or adapt their homes rather than sell and move in a slower market.

Box Architects, the new name for the firm’s commercial arm (formerly Work Architects) will continue to service the needs of many retail, hotel and property management clients that include Sainsbury, Asda, The Co-operative Group, The University of Leeds, VALAD and property agents King Sturge.

“Like many firms of architects we have seen a rapid change in the market, both in the type of work and in the volume of projects since 2007. We have continued to impress clients as Work Architects but we were known for purely commercial client projects, and we need to show we have invested in the skills and talent to service more sectors.

“Box Group is a new brand that gives us a platform for the launch of the residential division and further planned expansion.

“Box Haus is the first step in broadening our successful offering that already has a reputation for quality and cost effective imagination but within the commercial sector. We intend to be smart about design and bring a quality service with reduced fee rates, offering value to private individuals and the remaining private developers still active in the market,”

The practice will remain at the former Work Architects office on East Parade in Harrogate, where the new residential division will also be based.

“We have been through the transition of being a small part of a larger property services business five years ago, managed to get through the worst economy for the property sector in living memory, and we have come through this leaner, fitter and better equipped to service a broader client base.

“Our move into residential and less corporate work is our first step in moving forward from the foundations we built with Work Architects, and we are ambitious about how far we can go with the team and the clients we already have,” he added.